Ernie Els
Ernie Els
Theodore Ernest "Ernie" Elsis a South African professional golfer. A former World No. 1, he is known as "The Big Easy" due to his imposing physical stature) along with his fluid golf swing. Among his 71 career victories are four major championships: the U.S. Open in 1994 at Oakmont and in 1997 at Congressional, and The Open Championship in 2002 at Muirfield and in 2012 at Royal Lytham & St Annes. He is one of six golfers to twice win...
NationalitySouth African
ProfessionAthlete
accuracy areas best certain conditions difference form gets greens longer matter player second shots small takes toughest tour win
Basically, it takes the best player who's on form to win this tournament. The conditions here, maybe, make more difference than at a lot of places. When it gets a little firmer, the second shots become probably the toughest on Tour because the greens are very small and there's only certain areas where you can go with your second shots. In that regard, it doesn't matter longer or shorter hitter. Accuracy is at a premium.
ball change clubs easier high higher hit low players position sand shots
Some players like to change clubs around the green to hit high or low shots. I play all of my short-game shots with my 54-degree sand wedge and change my ball position to hit it higher or lower. I think it's easier to learn one club than four.
avoid ball club dry flyer hit loft open percent shots sitting swing top trying unless
Because of the grass and open face, I take one more club for shots from the rough, unless the ball is sitting on top of dry grass. Then, I use more loft and swing softer, trying to hit it about 70 percent to avoid a flyer over the green.
emotion putt remember seems shots
I was 27, and it seems like just yesterday. I remember a lot of shots I made, and when I made the putt at 18, it's probably the most emotion I've ever shown.
bring course greens plan shots time
Their plan is to bring the course back to where they used to play the shots into the greens in the '60s and '70s. We've just got to give it time and see where it goes.
left shot shots
I've shot 69 but I feel like I've left some shots out there today,
clubs shots harder
Swinging harder with a longer club almost always leads to bad shots.
course everybody golf jack wants win
When you have a golf course that's so pristine, you just want to play well. Jack Nicklaus has also got something to do with that. Everybody wants to win this golf tournament.
best bomb driver par shot tee
When you get to the tee on a really long par 5, I know what you're feeling. You want to let the shaft out on the driver and try to bomb it down there. I get the same feeling. But a big tee shot is not always the best strategy, especially on a long hole.
technology
We've got the technology out there. It's how you use it.
final majors round taking
There have been so many majors that got away, starting at Riviera in '95, taking a three-shot lead into the final round of the PGA and not winning.
downward hitting promote
With shorter clubs, your ball position should be just back of middle, to really promote hitting the ball first on a downward strike.
bad beautiful black check easing further good hands mandela nelson
You have to go back, man. You have to. It's now in the hands of the black man, as it should have been before Nelson Mandela was put in jail. We'd be so much further along. You're from Chicago, so you know the really good things and the really bad things about Chicago. Johannesburg is a big city, too, and it still has a big city's crime, but less. Less. It's easing off. It's better. If you really know Johannesburg, it's a beautiful place. You have to come check out the change.
bit chipping feet fit hopefully moment possible putting stay
At the moment I have to stay off my feet as much as possible but hopefully I'll be fit enough to do a bit of chipping and putting soon.